The Old English Physiologus:

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YALE STUDIES IN ENGLISH
ALBERT S. COOK, Editor

THE
OLD ENGLISH PHYSIOLOGUS

TEXT AND PROSE TRANSLATION
BV

ALBERT STANBURROUGH COOK

Frofeuor of Ibe Eaglish LoDguftee and L4l«nilare in Yal« UniTcisitr
VERSE TRANSLATION

JAMES HALL PITMAN

FeUow in Eii|lltb of V«lc UniTUidtjr

Bj

NEW HAVEN: YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS

LONDON: HUMPHREY MILFORD

OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS

HDCCCXXl

DshiziowGoOqIc

WEIHAK: PRINTED BV R. WAGNER SOHN.

D.gitizecbyG00glc

^ PREFACE

Q The Old English Physiologus, or Bestiary, is a series
of three brief poems, dealing with the mythical traits
of a lajid-animal, a sea-heast, and a bird respectively, and
deducing from them certain moral or religious lessons.
These three creatures are selected from a much larger
number treated in a work of the same name which was
compiled at Alexandria before 140 B. C, originally in
Greek, and afterwards translated into a variety of lan-
guages — ^into Latin before 431. The standard form of the
Physiologus has 49 chapters, each dealing with a separate
animal (sometimes imaginary) or other natural object,
beginning with the lion, and ending with the ostrich;
examples of these are the pehcan, the eagle, the phcenix,
■^ the ant (cf. Prov. 6.6), the fox, the unicorn, and the
~~ salamander. In this standard text, the Old English
poems are represented by chapters 16, 17, and 18, deal-
-^ ing in succession with the panther, a mythical sea-
■^ monster called the asp-turtle (usually denominated the
.,, whale), and the partridge. Of these three poems, the
^ , third is so fragmentary that httle is left except eight
B^es of religious appUcation, and four of exhortation
by the poet, so that the outline of the poem, and especi-
, .^ ally the part descriptive of the partridge, must be con-
" ' jecturally restored by reference to the treatment in the
"~i ■ taller versions, which are based upon Jer. 17. 11 (the
~, texts drawn upon for the application in hues 5— 11 are
:, 2 Cor. 6. 17,18; Isa. 55.7; Heb. 2. 10,11).

D.gitizecbyG00glc

IV Preface

It has been said : ' With the exception of the Bible,
there is perhaps no other book in all Hterature that has
been more widely current in every cultivated tongue and
among every class of people.' Such currency might be
illustrated from many English authors. Two passages
from Elizabethan hterature may serve as specimens — the
one from Spenser, the other from Shakespeare. The
former is from the Faerie Queene (i. 11.34) ■

At last she saw, where he upstarted brave

Out of the well, wherein he drenched lay;

As Eagle fresh out of the Ocean wave,

Where he hath left his plumes all hoary gray.

And deckt him&eUe with feathers youthly gay,

Like Eyas hauke up mounts unto the skies.

His newly budded pineons to assay.

And marveilcs at himselfe, still as he flies i

So new this new-borne Icnight to battell new did rise.

The other is from Hamlet (Laertes to the King) :

To his good friends thus wide I'll ope my arms;
And like the kind life-tendering pelican.
Repast them with my blood.'

However widely diffused, the symbohsm exemplified
by the Physiologus is peculiarly at home in the East.
Thus Egypt symbohzed the sun, with his death at night
passing into a rebirth, by the phanix, which, by a natural
extension, came to signify the resurrection. And the
Bible not only sends the sluggard to the ant, and bids
men consider the hlies of the field, but with a large sweep
commands (Job 12.7, 8) : 'Ask now the beasts, and they
shall teach thee ; and the fowls of the air, and they shall
tell thee ; or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee ;
and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.'

> Alfred de Husset, in La Nuil de Mai. develops the image of
the pelican through nearly thirty lines.

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Preface v

The text as here printed is extracted from my edition,
The Old English Elene, Phcenix, and Physiologus (Yale
University Press, 1919), where a critical apparatus may
be found ; here it may be sufficient to say that Itahc
letters in square brackets denote my emendations, and
Roman letters those of previous editors. The trans-
lations have not hitherto been published, and no com-
plete ones are extant in any language, save those con-
tained in Thorpe's edition of the Codex Exoniensis,
which appeared in 1S42. The long conjectural passage
in the Partridge is due wholly to Mr. Pitman.

A. S. C.

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PHYSIOLOGUS

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PHYSIOLOGUS

I
THE PANTHER

Monge sindon geond middangeaxd
unrlmu cynn, [^ord] pe we tetielu ne magon
ryhte areccan nS rim witan ;
I)8BS wide sind geond wor[«]l[d] iiman
fugla and dSora foldhrerendra
womas widsceope, swa water bibiigeS
l)isne beorhtan bosm, brim grymetende,
sealtf ]» geswing.

WS bi sumum h^don
wratllc[«»)] gecynd[e] wildra secgan,
lirmn frSamJarne, feorlondum on.
card weardian, 6dle5 nSotan,
EBfter dunscraium. Is pmt dSor Pandher
la noman h5ten, J)ibs ^ nipj)a bear[n].

Many, yea numberless, are the tribes throughout the
world whose natures we can not rightly expound nor
their multitudes reckon, so immense are the swarms of
birds and earth-treading animals wherever water, the
roaring ocean, the surge of salt billows, encompasses
the smiling bosom of earth.

We have heard about one marvelous kind of wild
beast which inhabits, in lands far off, a domain renowned
among men, rejoicing there in his home amid the moun-
tain-^ves. This beast is called panther, as the ieftmed

D.gitizecbyG00glc

PHYSIOLOGUS

I
THE PANTHER

Of living creatures many are the kinds
Throughout the world — unnumbered, since no man
Can count their multitudes, nor rightly learn
The ways of their wild nature; wide they roam.
These beasts and birds, as far as ocean sets
A hmit to the earth, embracing her
And all her sunny fields with salty seas
And toss of roaring billows.

We have heard
From men of wider lore of one wild beast,
Wonderful dweller in a far-off land
Renowned of men, who loves his native glens
And dusky caverns. Him have wise men called

D.gitizecbyG00glc

4 The Panther

WTsfieste weras, on gewritmn cyi)a[y]
15 bi l>&m finstapan.

Sg is fflf^Jhwiim freond,

dugu5a estig, butan dracan &niini ;

|>&m he in ealle tid andwrafl leolaj),

l)urh yfla gehwylc t>e h5 gesfnan moEg.
Btet is wTGBtlic d6or, wundrum scyne,
20 hlwa gehwylces. Swa beeleS secgad,

gffisthalge ^uman, t^ette losepbes

tunece w»re telga gehwylces

blSom bregdende, ^iftra beorhtra gehwylc,

ffighwies senlicra, oJ)rum lixte
25 dryhta beamum, swa J)tes deores hiw,

blffic, brigda gehwtes, beorhtra and scynra

wundrum lixed, ^atte wrietllcra

ffighwylc ojjrum, ffinlicra gien

and ffflgeixa, frsBtwum blice5,
30 symle selllcra.

He hafad sundorgecynd,

among the children of men report in their books con-
cerning that lonely wanderer.

He is a friend, bountiful in kindness, to every one
save only the dragon ; with him he always lives at enmi-
ty by means of every injury he can inflict.

He is a bewitching animal, marvelously beautiful with
every color. Just as, according to men holy in spirit,
Joseph's coat was vari^ated with hues of every shade,
each shining before the sons of men brighter and more
perfect than another, so does the color of this beast blaze
with every diversity, gleaming in wondrous wise so clear
and fair that each tint is ever lovelier than the next,
glows more enchanting in its splendor, more rare, more
beauteous, and more strange.

He has a nature all his own, so gentle and so calm is

D.gitizecbyG00glc

The Panther

The panther, and in books have told of him,
The sohtary rover.

He is kind,
A bounteous friend to every Uving t h in g
Save one alone, the dragon ; but with him
The panther ever lives at enmity.
Employing every means within his power
To work him evil.

Fair is he, full bright
And wonderful of hue. The holy scribes
Tell us how Joseph's many-colored coat.
Gleaming with varying dyes of every shade,
Brilhant, resplendent, dazzled all men's eyes
That looked upon it. So the panther's hues
Shine altogether lovely, marvelous.
While each fair color in its beauty glows
Ever more rare and charming thaui the rest.
His wondrous charsicter is mild, and free

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6 The Panther

milde, gemetftest. H5 is monJ)wtere,
lufsum and leoftsel : nele laj)es wiht
se[ng]uni gerofnan butan |>ain attorsceal)an,
his fymgeflitan, {« ic rer fore ssegde.

35 Symle, fylle faagen, Jronne foddor l)ige8,
BBfter |>am gereordum raaste seceS,
dygle stowe under dunscrafujn ;
8sBr se l)eo[d]wiga J)reonihta fsec
swifeS on swe[o]fote, slSpe gebiesga[d].

40 ponne ellenrof up ^tonded,

J)ryinme gewelga[d], on {wne J)riddan dteg,
sneome of sl&pe. Sweghleo^or cymeS,
w6t)a wynsumast, t>urh Jises wildres muS ;
aafter {nere stefne stenc ut cyine8

45 of J)am wongstede — wynsiunra steam,
swSttra and swij)ra, sweecca gehwylcum,
wyrta blostmum and wudubledum,
eallum ffil)elicra eor|)an frsBtw[um].

it. Kind, attractive, and friendly, he has no though"
of doing harm to any save the envenomed foe, hi
ancient adversary of whom I spoke.

When, delighting in a feast, he has iwitaken of food,
ever at the end of the meal he betakes himself to his
resting-place, a hidden retreat among the mountain-
caves ; there the champion of his race, overcome by
sleep, abandons himself to slumber for the space of three
nights. Then the daimtless one, replenished with v^or,
straightway arises from sleep when the third day has
come. A melody, the most ravishing of strains, flows
from the wild beast's mouth ; and, following the music,
there issues a fragrance from the place — a fume more
transporting, sweet, and strong than any odor whatever,
than blossoms of plants or fruits of the forest, choicer

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The Panther

From all disturbing passion. Gracious, kind.
And full of love, he meditates no harm
But to that venomous foe, as I have told.
His ancient enemy.

Once he has rejoiced
His heart with feasting, straight he finds a nook
Hidden among dim caves, his resting-place.
There three nights' space, in deepest slumber wrapped.
The people's champion hes. Then, stout of heart.
The third day he arises fresh from sleep.
Endowed with glory. From the creature's mouth
Issues a melody of sweetest strains ;
And close upon the voice a balmy scent
Fills all the place — an incense lovelier.
Sweeter, and abler to perfume the air,
Than any odor of an earthly flower
Or scent of woodland fruit, more excellent

D.gitizecbyG00glc

8 The Panther

ponne of ceastrum and cynestSlum

50 and of burgsalum beonil)reat monig
farafl foldwegum foica I)ryj)um ;
eoredcystum, ofestum gefysde,
daredl&cende — deor [s]wa some —
ffifter Jaere stefne on Jwne stenc faraO.

55 Sw& is Dryhten God, dreama R»dend,
eallum eadmSde Ql>ruin gesceaftum,
duguda gehwylcre, bStan dracan anum,
attres ordfniman — J)iet is se ealda fSond
pone hS gesffllde in susla gnind,

60 and gefetrade fymum t§agum,

bijwahte J)r6anydmn ; and \)^ Jjriddan diege
of d!g1e htl&, J)[es Jje he dea5 fore us
]t>reo niht ^lade, psoden engla,
sigora Sellend. pset wses swete stenc,

65 wlitig and wynsum, geond womld ealle.
Si})})an to t>&in swicce sSdfffiste men.

than aught that clothes the earth with beauty. There-
upon from cities, courts, and castle-halls many companies
of heroes flock along the highways of earth ; the wielders
of the spear press forward in hurrying throngs to that
perfume — and so also do animals — ^when once the music
has ceased.

Even so the Lord God, the Giver of joy, is gracious to
all creatures, to every order of them, save only the dragon,
the source of venom, that ancient enemy whom he bound
in the abyss of torments ; shackhng him with fiery fetters,
and loading him with dire constraints, he arose from
darkness oh the third day after he, the Lord of angels,
the Bestower of victory, had for three nights endured
death on our behalf. That was a sweet perfume through-
out the world, winsome and entrancing. Henceforth,

D.gitizecbyG00glc

The Panther 9

Than all this world's adornments. Then from town
And palace, then from castle-hall, come forth
Along the roads great troops of hurrying men —
The very beasts come also; aJl press on
Toward that sweet odor, when the voice is stilled.

Such as this creature is the Lord our God,
Giver of joys, to all creation kind.
To men benignant, save alone to him.
The dragon, author of all wickedness,
Satan, the ancient adversary whom,
Fettered with fire, shackled with dire constraint,
Into the pit of torments God cast down.
The third day Christ arose from out the grave.
For three nights having suffered death for us.
He, Lord of angels, he in whom alone
Is hope of overcoming. Far and wide
The tidings spread, hke perfume fresh and sweet.
Through all the world. Then to that fragrance thronged

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The Panther

on healfa gehwone, heapum t>rungon
geond ealne ymbhwyrft eorJ)an sc5at[a].
Swa se snottra gecwed Sanctus Paulus :
'Monigfealde sind geond middangeard
g5d ungnyde t>e &s ts giefe dmkb
and tS feorhnere Fteder elmihtig,
and se toga Hyht ealra gesceafta
uppe ge nit>re.' pset is ee})ele stenc.

throtigh the whole extent of earth's regions, righteous
men have streamed in multitudes from every side to that
fragrance. As said the wise St. Paul : ' Manifold over the
world are the lavish bounties which the Father eihmghty,
the Hope of all creatures above and below, bestows on
us as grace and salvation.' That, too, is a sweet odor.

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The Panther

From every side all men whose hearts were true,
Throughout the regions of the circled earth.
Thus spoke the wise St. Paul : ' In all the world
His gifts are many, which he gives to us
For our salvation with unstinting hand.
Almighty Father, he, the only Hope
Of all in heaven or here below on earth.'
This is that noble fragrance, rare and sweet.
Which draws all men to seek it from afar.

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II

THE WHALE (ASP-TURTLE)
N5 ic fitte gen ymb fisca cynn

wille woScTffifte wordrnn cyjjan

])urh mSdgemynd, bi p&m miclan hwale.

Se bi& unwillmn oft gemSted,
5 frecne and fer[A]Bgrini, fareOlaceiiduni,

niJ)J)a gehwylcum ; p&m is noma cenned,

fyr[ge]nstreajna geflotan, Fastitocalon.
Is J)8es hiw gelic breofum stSne,

swylce worie bi w»des ofre,
10 sondbeorgum ymbseald, sffirjrrica nuBSt,

swa ^eet wenaj) wsglitiende

ymt hy on ealond sum eE^um wliten ;

and Jrenne gehyd[i]a8 heahstefn scipu

tS "pSm milonde oncyrr&pum,
15 s]^]la^ siemearas smides set ende,

This time I will with poetic art rehearse, by means
of words and wit, a poem about a kind of fish, the great
sea-monster which is often unwiUingly met, terrible and
cruel-hearted to seafarers, yea, to every maji ; this
swimmer of the ocean-streams is known as the asp-turtle.

His appearance is like that of a rough boulder, as if
there were tossing by the shore a great ocean-reedbank
begirt with sand-dunes, so that seamen ima^e they
are gazing upon an island, and moor their high-prowed
ships with cables to that false land, make fast the ocean-
coursers at the sea's end, and, bold of heart, climb up

D.gitizecbyG00glc

n

THE WHALE (ASP-TURTLE)

Now will I spur again my wit, and use
Poetic skill to weave words into song.
Telling of one among the race of fish.
The great asp-turtle. Men who sail the sea
Often unwillingly encounter him.
Dread preyer on mankind. His name we know.
The ocean-swimmer, Fastitocalon.

Dun, like rough stone in color, as he floats
He seems a heaving bank of reedy grass
Along the shore, with rolling dunes behind.
So that sea-wanderers deem their gaze has found
An island. Boldly then their high-prowed ships
They moor with cables to that shore, a land
Tliat is no land. Still floating on the waves.
Their ocean-coursers curvet at the marge ;

D.gitizecbyG00glc

14 The Asp-Turtle

and }x)ime in |)set eglond up gewltaO

coiIenfer[A]t>e ; ceolas stondaS

bi sta{>e fsste strSame biwunden.

Bonne gewiciaS werigfer[A]9e.
20 faro513rcende, frScnes ne wanaO.
On })ani ealonde sled weccaO,

heah fyr iBla5. Heele}) bSbJ) on wynnum,

rSonigmMe, raste gel[y]5te.

ponne gefeled f&cnes crfeftig
25 })ffit him ^a ferend on feste wtmia{>,

wic weardia5, wedres on luste,

8onne semninga on sealtne vrog

mid J)a nojw ni^wr gewltej),

garsecges gast, grand geseceS,
30 and t)omie in deaOsele drence biftesteO

scipu mid scealcum.

Swa bid 5cinn[eM]a {>eaw,

d§ofla wise, t)fflt hi droht[i]ende

t)urh dyme meaht dugude beswicad,

and on teosu tyhta^) tilra dnda,
35 wema6 on wilkn, ^Ki hy wrajw secen.

on that island ; the vessels stand by the beach, enringed
by the flood. The weary-hearted sailors then encamp,
dreaming not of peril.

On the island they start a fire, kindle a mounting flame.
The dispirited heroes, eager for repose, are flushed with
joy. Now when the cunning plotter feels that the seamen
are firmly established upon him, and have settled down
to enjoy the weather, the guest of ocean sinks without
warning into the salt wave with his ja-ey (?),.and makes
for the bottom, thus whelming ships and men in that
abode of death.

Such is the way of demons, the wont of devils : they
spend their lives in outwitting men by their secxet power,
inciting them to the corruption of good deeds, misguiding

D.gitizecbyG00glc

The Asp-Turtle 15

The weary-hearted sailors mount the isle.
And, free from thought of peril, there abide.

Elated, on the sands they build a fire,
A mounting blaze. There, light of heart, they sit —
No more discouraged — eager for sweet rest.
Then when the crafty fiend perceives that men.
Encamped upon him, making their abode,
^joy the gentle weather, suddenly
Under the salty waves he plunges down.
Straight to the bottom deep he drags his prey ;
He, guest of ocean, in his watery haunts
Drowns ships and men, and fast imprisons them
Within the halls of death.

Such is the way
Of demons, devils ' wiles : to hide their power.
And stealthily inveigle heedless men.
Inciting them against all worthy deeds.
And luring them to seek for help and comfort

D.gitizecbyG00glc

l6 The Asf-TurUe

frSfre to feondum, ot)t)eet hy fseste Qfer
»t J)im warlogan wic gec©osa8.
ponne pat gecn&wed of cwicsiisle
flah fSond gemah, {ifette fira gehwylc

40 hsBleJia cynnes on his hringe bi^)
fnste gef^ed, bs him feorgbona,
puth slit>en searo, si])t>aa weor^d,
wloncujn and hSanum pe his willati hSr
fireniun irenunad ; mid pam he fieringa,

45 heolophehne bi})eaht, helle sSced,
gSda ggasne, grundlSasne wylm
under mistgl^e, swa se micla hwel
se t>e bisence8 Bslllt>eiide
eorlas and ^dmearas.

HS bafa6 opre gecynd,

50 wffiterjiisa wlonc, wr»tlicran gien.
ponne hine on hohne hungor bysgaS,
and pone figltecan ffites lyste^,
donne se mereweard mud ontj^nefi,

them at will so that they seek help and support from
fiends, until they end by making their fixed abode with
the betrayer. When, from out his living torture, the
crafty, mahcious enemy perceives that any one is firmly
settled within his domain, he proceeds, by his malignant
wiles, to become the slayer of that man, be he rich or
poor, who sinfully does his will ; and, covered by his
cap of darkness, suddenly betakes himself with them to
hell, where naught of good is found, a bottomless abyss
shrouded in* misty gloom — like that monster which
engulfs the ocean-traversing men and ships.

This proud tosser of the waves has another and still
more wonderful trait. When hunger plagues him on
the deep, and the monster longs for food, this haunter
of the sea opens his mouth, and sets his hps agape;

■obyGoO'^lc

The A sf>- Turtle

From unsuspected foes, until at last

They choose a dwelling with the faithless one.

Then, \rfien the fiend, by crafty mahce stirred.

From where hell's tonnents bind him fast, perceives

That men are firmly set in his domain.

With treachery unspeakable he hastes

To snare and to destroy the lives of those.

Both proud and lowly, who in sin perform

His will on earth. Donning the mystic helm

Of darkness, with his i»ey he speeds to hell.

The place devoid of good — all misty gloom.

Where broods a sullen lake, black, bottomless.

Just as the monster, Fastitocalon,

Destroys seafarers, overwhelming men

And staunch-built ships.

Another trait he has.
This proud sea-swimmer, sfill more marvelous.
When hunger grips the monster on the deep.
Making him long for food, his gaping mouth
The ocean-warder opens, stretching wide

D.gitizecbyG00glc

i8 The Asp-Turtle

wide weleras ; cynie& wynsum stenc
55 of his innot>e, I)£Btte Qpte l>urh ]Mne,

snfisca cynn, beswicen weordaj).

Swiinmad sundhwate Jjwr se sweta stenc

ut gewit[e]6. Hi Iwr in fara5,

tinware weorude, ot>l)ffit se wida ceafl
60 gefylled bi6; Jwnne fseringa

ymbe J)a herehfitre hlemmeft togiedre

grimme goman.

Sw5 bif) gumena gehwam

se "pe oftost his unwrerlice,

on pa& tenan tid, lif bisceawaQ :
65 Iffited bine besw!can ^nrh swStne stenc,

leasne willan, pfet he hip leahtrum fah

wis Wuldorcyning. Him se awyrgda ongean

setter hinsijw helle ontyned,

J)am pe Igaslice lices wynne
70 ofer ferh[8]gereaht fremedon on unrad.

ponne se f»cna in Jjam fiestenne

gebrQht hafad, bealwes creeftig,

whereupon there issues a ravishing perfume from his
inwards, by which other kinds of fish are beguiled. With
lively motions they swim to where the sweet odor comes
forth, and there enter in, a heedless host, until the wide
gorge is full ; then, in one instant, he snaps his fierce
jaws together about the swarming prey.

Thus it is with any one who, in this fleeting time,
full oft neglects to take heed to his Ufe, and allows him-
self to be enticed by sweet fragrance, a lying lure, so that
he becomes hostile to the King of glory by reason of
his sins. The accursed one will, when they die, throw
wide the doors of hell to those who, in their folly, have
wrought the treacherous delights of the body, contrary
to the wise guidance of the soul. When the deceiver,
skilful in wrongdoing, hath brought into that fastness.

D.gitizecbyG00glc

The Asp-Turtle

His monstrous lips ; and from his cavernous maw
Sends an entrancing odor. This sweet scent.
Deceiving other fishes, lures them on
In swiftly moving schools toward that fell place
Whence comes the perfume. There, unwary host.
They enter in, until the yawning mouth
Is filled to overflowing, when, at once,
Trapjring their prey, the fearful jaws snap shut.

So, in this fleeting earthly time, each man
Who orders heedlessly his mortal life
Lets a sweet odor, some beguiling wish.
Entice him, so that in the eyes of God,
The King of glory, his iniquities
Make him abhorrent. After death for him
The all-accursed devil opens hell —
Opens for all who in their folly here
Let pleasures of the body overcome
Their spirits' guidance. When the wily fiend
Into his hold beside the fiery lake

D.gitizecbyG00glc

20 Tke Asp-Turile

let J)am [cijdwylme, ^& pe him on cteofiaS,
gyltum gehrodene, and fer georne his

75 in hira llfdagum lanim hyrdon,

J)onne he J)ft grinunaji goman bihlemmed,
setter feorhcwale, fceste togaadre,
helle hlinduru. Nagon hwyrft n5 swice,
fltsip fflfre, p& [/c] jKBr in cuma8.

So }x)n in& pe ])& fiscas, faradlacende,
of J)fe6 hwffiles fenge hweorfan motan.
Fortwn is eaUinga

dryhtna Dryhtne, and & dSoflum widsace
85 wordum and weorcum, {iset wS Wuldorcyning
geseon moton. Uton a sibbe to him,
on J)fls hwQnan tid, helu sScan,
{leet we mid swa leofne in lofe m5tan
tH widan feore wuldres neotan.

the lake of fire, those that cleave to him and are laden
with guilt, such as had eagerly followed his teachings
in the days of their life, he then, after their death, snaps
tight together his fierce jaws, the gates of hell. They
who enter there have neither relief nor escape, no means
of flight, any more than the fishes that swim the sea can
escape from the clutch of the monster.

Therefore is it by all means [best for every one of us
to serve*] the Lord of lords, and strive against devils with
words and works, that so we may come to behold the
King of glory. Let us ever, now in this fleeting time, seek
from him grace and salvation, that so with the Beloved
we may in worship enjoy the bliss of heaven for evermore.

• Conjectuially supplied.

D.gitizecbyG00glc

The Asp-TurUe

With evil craft has led those erring ones
Who cleave to him, sore laden with their sins.
Those who in earthly life have hearkened well
To his instruction, after death close shut
He snaps those woful jaws, the gates of hell.
Whoever enters there has no relief,
Nor may he any more escape his doom
And thence depart, than can the swimming fish
Elude the monster.

Therefore it is [best
And'] altogether [right for each of us
To serve and honor God,*] the Lord of lords,
And always in our every word and deed
To combat devils, that we may at last
Behold the King of glory. In this time
Of transitory things, then, let us seek
Peace and salvation from him, that we may
Rejoice for ever in so dear a Lord,
And [H'aise his glory everlastingly.

* CoDjecturally supplied.

D.gitizecbyG00glc

Ill

THE PARTRIDGE 1

Hyrde ic secgan gen bi sumum fugle
wundorllcne*

fieger

|>fflt wrard te gecwseB wuldres Ealdor :
5 'In swft hwylce tiid swa gS mid treowe to mS

on h^e hweorf aS, and gS hellflrena
sweartra geswicad, sw& ic symle tfi Sow
mid siblufaji sOna gecyrre
t>urh milde mOd; ge beod mS 5it){>£in

So, too, I have heard tell a wondrous [tale*] about a
certain bird.* . . . fair the word* spoken by the King
of glory : 'At whatsoever time ye turn to me with faith
in your soul, and forsake the black iniquities of hell,
I will turn straightway to you with love, in the gentleness
of my heart ; and thenceforth ye shall be reckoned to

' Tlw partridge (like the cuckoo) broods the eggs oi other birds.
When they are batched and grown, they fly off to their true
parents. So men may tnm from the devil, who has wrongfully
gained possession ot them, to their heavenly Father, who will
receive them as his children.

* Conjectnrally supplied.

* Gap in the manuscript, probably of considerable length.

* Cf . 3 Cor. 6. 17, 18; Isa. 35. 7; Heb. 3, 10, 11.

D.gitizecbyG00glc

Ill

THE PARTRIDGE
About another creature have I heard
A wondrous [tale.] [There is] a bird [men call
The partridge. Strange is she, unlike all birds
In field or wood who brood upon their eggs.
Hatching their young. The partridge lays no eggs.
Nor builds a dwelling ; but instead, she steals
The well-wrought nests of others. There she sits.
Warming a stranger brood, until at last
The eggs are hatched. But when the stolen chicks
Are fledged, they straightway fly away to seek
Their proper kin, ajid leave the partric^e there
Forsaken. In such wise the devil works
To steal the souls of those whose youthful minds
Or foolish hearts in vain resist his wiles.
But when they reach maturer age, they see
They are true children of the Lord of lords.
Then they desert the lying fiend, and seek
Their rightful Father, who with open arms
Receives them, as he long since promised them.*]

Fair is that word the Lord of glory spoke :
'In such time as you turn with faithful hearts
To me, and put away your heUish sins.
Abominable to me, then will I turn
To you in love for ever, for my heart
Is mild and gracious. Thenceforth you shall be

1 CoDJectu tally supplied, on the basis oi other

D.gitizecbyG00glc

24 The Partridge

10 torhte, tirSadge, talade and rimde,
beorhte gebr&t>or on beama stail.'

Uton we J)y geomor Gode Sliccan,
firene feogan, fri^ eamian,
dugufte t6 Dryhtne, Jrenden us di^ seine,
15 ptBt swa eet>^€ eardwlca cyst
in wuldres wlite wunian m5tan.

Finit.

me as glorious and renowned, as my illustrious brethren,
yea, in the place of children.

Let us therefore propitiate God with all zeal, abhor
evil, and gain forgiveness and salvation from the Lord
while for us the day still shines, so that thus we may,
in glorious beauty, inhabit a dwelling excellent beyond
compare. Finit.

D.gitizecbyG00glc

The Partridge 25

Refulgent, glorious, numbered with the host
Of heaven, and, instead of children, called
Bright brethren of the Lord.'

Let us by this
Be taught to please God better, hating sin.
And strive to earn salvation from the Lord,
His full deUverance, so long as day
Shall shine upon us, that we may at last
Inhabit heavenly mansions, nobler far
Than earthly dwellings, gloriously bright.

Finit.

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